CLRL Seminar Info

Note: The days on which the seminar topics are taught may vary.

Monday

Labor Relations Law

The first day covers the basics of labor law. Participants will learn how a union is formed and what takes place during the union organizing drive. Participants will experience a simulated union organizing drive and learn the underlying labor laws associated with employer-union interactions.

Featured topics:

  • Employee Rights Under the National Labor
    Relations Act
  • The Duty to Bargain
  • Economic Pressures by Unions and Employers
  • Employer/Union Unfair Labor Practices Under the NLRB

 

Tuesday and Wednesday

Labor Negotiations

This segment simulates the actual process of negotiation. Working from either the union or management side of negotiations, participants will learn how to negotiate many contemporary issues, such as total-compensation concepts, employee drug and alcohol testing, discipline and discharge, sick leave, no-fault attendance policies, health/dental/vision insurance issues, FMLA/LOA issues, overtime provisions, longevity pay, seniority provision, vacancy issues, wages, and more.

Featured topics:

  • Roles and Functions in Contract Negotiations
  • The Preparation Process - Determination of Goals/Objectives
  • Developing Strategies to Achieve Goals
  • Negotiations Skills and Tactics
  • Dealing with Impasse
  • Strike Planning and Preparation
  • Negotiations Simulation
  • Closing the Agreement and Contract Implementation

 

Thursday

Collective Bargaining Agreement Administration

Participants will learn about and understand the "big picture" of a labor contract a how to administer the agreement to maximize management flexibility and at the same time avoid grievances.

Featured Topics:

  • Management Rights
  • Best Practice and Contract Administration
  • Grievances and Grievance Procedures
  • Discipline in the Union Environment
  • Examination/Evaluation of Contract Provisions

 

Friday

Labor Arbitration

This segment simulates the actual process of arbitration. Issues such as arbitrability, past-practice and elements of discipline and discharge under "just cause" will be touched on throughout the simulation process. Participants will prepare, present, research and write a brief in a sample arbitration case from both management and union perspectives.

There will be opportunities to prepare a case for presentation, make opening and closing statements, question cooperative and hostile witnesses and design a brief for presentation to the arbitrator. Through such simulations, the participant will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the process and methods of persuasion associated with labor arbitration.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Prepare for arbitration
  • Deliver an effective opening statement
  • Introduce evidence and documents into the record
  • Object to the introduction of testimony documents
  • Examine/cross examine witnesses
  • Subpoena witnesses
  • Deliver an effective closing statement
  • Other issues to be covered include:
    • Arbitrability
    • Past-practice
    • Discipline/discharge under "just cause"
    • Evidence (relevant Federal rules of evidence)
    • Overtime